Enhancing Germination Indices of Neem Seed During Storage Using Pre-Sowing Treatments

Seed priming improves seed performance in many crop species. In this study, the influence of seed storage and seed coating during storage on seed parameters of neem is investigated in laboratory conditions i.e., seed coating with gum, clay, paraffin wax and seed storage under wet conditions and low temperature (101520and sun drying for 12 and 24 hours. Germination traits were measured for determination of optimum seed treatment. Also, the sugar and starch content of seeds in the seed priming treatments and unprimed seeds were compared. Results showed that seed treatments had a positive effect on final germination percentage, moisture content and uniformity of germination. There were significant differences in sugar and starch content between primed and unprimed seeds. In general, seed treatments not only increased seed germination in the laboratory but also had a more positive effect on the emergence in the field condition.